Friends of all Faiths

Today in sunday school I was mildly offended by our renegade teacher who made some incorrect but common assumptions about our friends of other faiths. I wish I would have corrected her in class, but will do so privately next week.

In a disrespectful and demeaning manner she publicly assumed that catholics can simply recite a few Hale Mary’s and be forgiven of their sins. I am not an expert on catholicism, but I do have several Catholic friends who would undoubtedly take serious issue with her statement. From wikipedia: “in this Sacrament, the penitent (repentant sinner, known as confessant) accuses himself of his sins to an ordained priest (known as confessor). The priest may then offer advice and imposes a particular penance to be performed. The penitent then prays an Act of Contrition, the priest administers absolution, thus formally forgiving the penitent of his sins, and finally sends him out with words of dismissal. Often, penitential acts consist simply of prayers, fasting, charitable work or giving, or a combination thereof. Such penance is frequently accompanied by a requirement for the penitent to be reconciled with anyone against whom he or she has sinned. The most common penances involve the recitation of standard prayers, such as the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary, meditation on particular scriptural passages, or praying the rosary with special penitential intentions. ” This process seems almost identical in nature to that of the process practiced the the Mormon church. I probably could go to a a Catholic Priest and received almost identical counsel as that I would receive from an LDS Bishiop.

Secondly she spoke poorly of those churches which take receive money for their preaching. Now I am the first to admit that some corrupt organizations/pastors do take advantage of their followers. But I believe that the majority of church’s and organizations take money to sustain themselves and further build up their version of the “Kingdom of God.” I would also point out that many LDS missionaries, mission presidents and leaders who dedicate themselves entirely to their church assignments do receive living expense reimbursements. They certainly are not corrupt because they have not “volunteered” their time. Secretly a part of me wishes the LDS church had paid professional clergy because perhaps we would get better quality discourses and lessons.